Different Fetal

Positions during

Pregnancy

What are the positions taken by fetus inside

the uterus?

Fetal position inside the uterus refers to the relation

between the backbone for your baby and your backbone,

and it includes:

1- Longitudinal position: in which the

backbone for fetus is parallel to your

backbone.

2- Transverse position: in which the

backbone for fetus at right angle to

your backbone.

3- Oblique position: in which the

inclination angle for fetus backbone

more than 0 and less than 90 degree to

yours.

What is the normal position for the fetus?

The normal position for fetal delivery is the

position of descending at the back of

the head, otherwise it is considered

an abnormal position.

What is the unstable position for the fetus?

You will know if your fetus position in the

uterus is changing during the pregnancy,

especially at the last three months of your

pregnancy.

What are the positions of descending with

head?

One of longitudinal positions is when your fetus

descending with the head and it is the most popular

position. It is reassessed based on the part of the head

that meets your pelvis first. There is:

1- The breech position, i.e., the fetus descending at

the back of the head.

2- Face-down position.

What are the positions of descending with

bottom?

Also, when your fetus descending with bottom is one of

longitudinal positions, but the bottom is the first part that

meets your pelvic.

1- Frank position: is when the knees are

extension (straightening).

2- Complete position: is when the knees

are folded.

3- Incomplete position: is when the fetus is

descending with knee or feet.

What are the reasons for abnormal positions

and bottom descending positions?

Your baby could take abnormal positions without any

clear reason, but it may be one of these reasons:

❖ Reasons related to the placenta: Such as

having a Placenta Previa

❖ Reasons related to the mother, such as:

• Uterus abnormalities (ex, Bicornuate uterus)

• Cancers in uterus

• Sagging abdominal muscles and sagging

uterine wall due to repeated pregnancy and

birth.

What are the reasons for abnormal positions

and bottom descending positions?

❖ Reasons related to the fetus:

• Increase or decrease in the amount

of amniotic fluid surrounding the

fetus.

• Some birth defects that hinder the

stability of normal position of the

fetus in during pregnancy or birth,

such as hydrocephalus.

How can I know the right and proper

treatment for the bottom descending

position?

Wrong treatment:

Previously, doctors tried to modify the fetus

position inside the uterus from the bottom

descending position to the head descending position, but

it had serious consequences, such as placental abruption,

uterine rupture bleeding and birth.

How can I know the right and proper

treatment for the bottom descending

position?

Right treatment:

Recent medical studies have proven that

cesarean delivery for the bottom descending

position is more secure than a vaginal delivery and has

less effect on both the mother and fetus, especially if the

baby is between 28 - 36 weeks .

Note!

In case the baby descends through the forehead, it is

preferable to have a caesarean section from the

beginning.

How is the position of the fetus assessed

during pregnancy?

The position of the fetus during pregnancy is assessed

through a clinical examination of the abdomen, a vaginal

examination, or an ultrasound examination.

Sources and References:

All pictures used from Flaticon.com

Review and audit:

The content of this booklet has been reviewed by Obstetrics

and Gynecology Consultants at King Fahad University

Hospital.

Health Awareness Unit

Obstetrics and Gynecology Department

IAU-20-21